Feb. 7, 2012
Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov / j.d.harrington@nasa.gov
Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 12-045
NASA CALLS FOR NEW COMMERCIAL CREW PROPOSALS
WASHINGTON -- As part of NASA's ongoing efforts to foster development
of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability to and from
low Earth orbit and the International Space Station, NASA has issued
a call for industry to submit proposals for the Commercial Crew
Integrated Capability Initiative.
It's expected that proposals will lead to Space Act Agreements that
will help NASA and the U.S. achieve safe, reliable, and cost
effective human access to space. NASA expects to make multiple awards
this summer, with values ranging from $300 - $500 million.
To provide industry a better understanding of this initiative so that
they may provide more comprehensive proposals, NASA plans a
pre-proposal conference on Feb. 14, at the Courtyard Marriott in
Cocoa Beach, Fla. Proposals are due March 23.
"President Obama is working hard to create an American economy built
to last," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "NASA's support of
commercial innovation to reach low Earth orbit is helping to support
these efforts by spurring new technological development and creating
jobs and economic benefits for years to come."
NASA's announcement asks industry to propose a base period of
approximately 21 months, running from award through May 2014. The
goals of the base period include completing the design of a fully
integrated commercial crew transportation system, which consists of
the spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground operations, and mission
control. In addition, NASA is asking for the proposals to contain
optional milestones beyond the base period leading to and culminating
in a crewed orbital demonstration flight.
For more information on the announcement and pre-proposal conference,
visit:
http://commercialcrew.nasa.gov/index.cfm
For more information about NASA's commercial exploration program,
visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
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